djwudi's reviews
1058 reviews

Another Fine Myth by Robert Lynn Asprin

3.0

The Myth series has been on my radar for years, so when I saw the first five books at the local library sale a couple months ago, I snapped them up. This first one is…ehh. It’s okay. It’s not bad, but neither did it wow me. Maybe it’s because it’s the first in the series, maybe because it was written in ‘78 and I’m reading it in ‘24, maybe because I’m more of an SF reader, maybe it’s because I’ve fairly recently read the first few Discworld books and enjoyed them more than I did this, and maybe it’s some combination of all of those factors, but I was somewhat underwhelmed. As long as I have the next four, I’ll keep reading and see if they improve, though. (Also, why is Aahz about two feet taller than he should be on the cover art?)

Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold

3.0

A little military, a little mystery, and a little romance, as Miles goes along on his first major investigation for his new job...which goes as smoothy as one would expect. As fun as always, with the usual cadre of complex and believable well-rounded characters.

The Antares Maelstrom by Greg Cox

3.0

No big morals or messages here; just a good “fifth season” adventure playing on old western gold rush tropes.

Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold

4.0

Recovering from the rather calamitous events of the last book, Miles has to solve an unusual murder mystery while trying to figure out how to deal with his two alternate lives. This one is less action, and more introspection, mystery solving, and Barrayaran politics, always with Bujold’s signature wit and incredibly well-rounded, imperfect, and very real characters.

Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue #214 by Kate Baker, Sean Wallace, Neil Clarke

3.0

My favorite story this month was Tia Tashiro’s “Every Hopeless Thing”.

My Monster Girlfriend by Amanda Lafrenais, Andrea Purcell

4.0

The latest in Iron Circus’s series of adult comic anthologies, and a sequel of-sorts to an earlier entry, My Monster Boyfriend. Befitting the theme, some are more horror based, while others are sweet and silly, but all are most definitely NSFW. Quite a few good offerings here, but I think Anderjak’s “Trash Mob Romance” was my favorite (sweet, funny, and what I read as nice ace representation while still fitting the theme of the anthology).

The Captain's Oath by Christopher L. Bennett

3.0

Set over the course of a few years, just before and after Kirk takes command of the Enterprise. An interesting take on Kirk, not quite the captain he will become, still somewhat finding his footing. Plus some good pointed commentary on refugees and the assumptions that get made when they arrive in a new place.

Uncanny Magazine Issue 59: July/August 2024 by Monte Lin, Michael Damian Thomas, Lynne M. Thomas

3.0

Sarah Pinsker’s “Signs of Life” was the standout for me in this issue.

Blue Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson

5.0

Earth is in crisis as Mars continues to transform, terraforming spreads through the rest of the solar system, and expanded lifespans prompt questions of population, ploitics, and how the mind and memory adapts to living so long. An excellent end to the series.

Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 213 by Neil Clarke

3.0

Favorites this month were “Artistic Encounters of a Monumental Nature” by S.B. Divya, “Himalia” by Carrie Vaughn, and “Off Track” by Luc Diamant.